Saturday 31 January 2009

Confessions of a Basing Nazi Part 2

Before basing, it is really beneficial to paint the metal bases of the figures to match the eventual colour of the base; saves time and reduces the probability of needing to repaint the feet.

I make the bases in big batches and will cover this in another post, later; they are magnetic on the underside, and sealed with spraypaint on the top and sides.


So above, we have the basing mix; roughly 1/3 wood glue, 1/3 water and 1/3 dry mix as per the last post. Stir it up with the palette knife, then apply to the base, as below. Can anyone guess why there is an arrow, cut into the square base with the archers on?


Finally, it is essential to let the base dry on a magnetic surface (as below); or it will warp! I use an old baking tray. Make sure that the surface and the underside of the base are clean.

8 comments:

Grégory Privat said...

guess on teh arrow : it s because of the magnetic material, you need to know the direction or your ranks may "repulse" each other ? Am I right ?

BigRedBat said...

Yes exactly right! It's a real pain if the elements repel each other.

In general, when I make the bases, I make the magnetic lines parallel to the long sides of each base. With the square ones it is important to show the front.

Grégory Privat said...

Do you know of a good (here I mainly means cheap) place to buy those magnetic bases (and same question for the wood part of the base, unless you use cardboard ?), online ? I know only about litko, which is good quality, but a bit expensive in my opinion (I may be wrong : maybe are they asking the right price ?)

BigRedBat said...

Hi Greg, I don't know a place, I'm afraid.

I make my own; in an evening I can make enough to last me around 3 months. I'll do a tutorial shortly. But laser cut might work too; I recently bought some excellent, cheap round 2mm thick mdf bases from ebay; same guy does square, too. If I see him there again I'll send you a link.

Secundus said...

Wow, you have made basing a science, I am impressed. I feel a little cheap just sicking mine to GW bases and flocking them now. Great stuff.

Grégory Privat said...

I m not I was clear : main question was were to get the magnetic part of the base. The base itself was a secondary question. So ?

or are you making the magnetic ??

BigRedBat said...

Oh that is easy! These guys are very cheap, especially if you order a lot!

http://www.magnetic-paper.com/shop.asp?ID=9 0.8mm

You want:- Self Adhesive A4 Magnetic sheet £9.99
Stick to the back of drawings or prints to make a fridge magnet from any image. Pack of 3 sheets. (0.8 Kg)

The 0.4mm thick sheet is useful for 15mm figures, but will not hold 28mm figures safely.

If they don't export, let me know and I can give you some at Salute.

Although they are self adhesive, I glue the magnetic sheet to the cardboard, to be safe.

Grégory Privat said...

thank you. I placed an order. Waiting for the postage pricing.